Direct air friction cathead



Jan. 5, 1954 A. A. ASHTON DIRECT AIR FRICTION CATHEAD Filed Oct. 29, 1949 INVENTOR.

ALBERT A. ASHTON ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1954 DIRECT AIR FRICTION CATHEAD Albert A. Ashton, Houston, Tex., assignor to Emsco Manufacturing Company, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California Application October 29, 1949, Serial No. 124,451

6 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to catheads and is more particularly concerned with improvements in friction catheads of the breakout type arranged for fluid actuation and control, such as utilized in the oil well industry.

It is an object of the herein described invention to provide a cathead of the friction type of self-contained compact construction, wherein the actuating mechanism is directly adjacent the drawworks; and which is so arranged that adjacent flanges of the breakout spool and cathead spool may be actuated into clutched and unclutched relation.

A further object is to provide in devices of such character, improved breakout spool mounting, wherein the spool is supported for rotation upon a stationary bushing, so that when the spool is disconnected from associated driving means, the spool will immediately come to a stop, and no drag will be applied to the spool from other moving parts which would tend to cause creepage movements thereof.

Another object is to provide an improved cathead construction, wherein the cathead spool is readily removable to permit access to friction tween friction clutch faces by which power is applied to a breakout spool.

Further objectives of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations on the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is an inner end elevational view of a friction cathead embodying the features of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1, parts of the device being shown in elevation.

Referring now to the drawings, the cathead of the present invention embodies a self-com tained compact construction, which is adapted for mounting as a unit at one end of the cathead shaft, as indicated in dotted lines at It, adjacent the drawworks structure, as generally indicated at II.

For mounting the device, a tubular sleeve or mandrel I2 is provided having an internally tapered bore l3 adapted to make a press fit with 2 the tapered end of the cat shaft and to be so cured by a suitable key M.

The sleeve I2 is arranged to project beyond the end of the cat shaft and at its outermost projecting end is provided with a thickened end rim [5 in which a plurality of circumferentially spaced stud bolts I6 are mounted, and by which a cathead spool I7 is secured at its innermost end to the sleeve or mandrel. The sleeve or mandrel with the attached cathead spool 17 is arranged to be forced onto the end of the cat shaft by means of a pull-up stud I8 connected to the shaft end and projecting axially therefrom, the outermost end of this stud being threaded to receive a nut-l9 which is arranged to be tightened against a washer insert 20 mounted in the inner end of the cathead spool.

At its innermost end, the cathead spool I! is provided with an end flange 2| having an outer annular surface 22, and a peripheral flange 23 which is outwardly deflected so as to extend past the surface 22.

Adjacently disposed to the cathead spool is a breakout spool 23 having a tubular central hub 24 connected at its ends with diverging end flanges 25 and 26, the flange 25 being adjacently disposed to the end flange 2| of the cathead spool and having secured thereto a friction ring or shoe 2?, as by screws 28. The outer surface of the friction ring 21 is adapted to cooperate with the annular surface 22 for providing a clutched and unclutched connection between the cathead spool l1 and the breakout spool 23, as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

In the construction described above, it will be apparent that the flange 23 forms a shield at the periphery of flange 25 and extends over the friction ring or shoe 21. Also, that access to the friction ring or shoe 2? for inspection or replacement is readily accomplished simply by removal of the nut l9 and stud bolts l6, which permit removal of the cathead spool IT without disturbing the associated parts of the device.

On the opposite side of the breakout spool, there is provided adjacent the flange 26 an an-- nular frame structure 29 which is connected with the flange 26 adjacent its periphery by means of an interlocking ring 30 secured to the flange by circumferentially spaced bolts 3|, the inner edge of the locking ring being positioned within a circumferentially extending groove 32 in the adjacent surface of the frame structure 29. With this arrangement, the breakout spool 23 and frame structure 29 are interconnected for relative rotational movement and unitary axial movement in opposite directions, one of these directions being such as to bring the friction rin or shoe 2'! against the annular surface 22 to form a driving connection, and in an opposite direction to move the shoe to disconnected relation with respect to the surface 22.

The frame structure 29 has a central annular hub 33 whichahasga pressfit connection with one end of a tubular b'ushing34 which projects-fromthe frame structure and is positioned between N the hub 24 of the breakout spool and the sleeve l2. The hub 24 at its outermost end iseprovided. with an end groove 35 in which there is mounted a conventional oil seal 35; Atithe 'otheriend:

of the hub 24, an anti-friction thrust hearing- 31 is mounted between the adjacent parts'ofthe breakout spool and the frameistructurezn:

The frame structure 29 is retained against rotational movement by means of an anchor post 38' which is mounted on an adjacent portion of the drawworksrstructure H: and has: its zoutermost end provided with an endslott3liforrreceivingiaa; part'xof the framerstructureetherein, which thus permits== movement i ofzth'eeframei structure: :29 in. axial directionsr. It: will-lthereforeabe apparent thatyfisincem theraframe; structure 2-8'1iS retained: against rotational l movement the bushing "34-; is= likewise;non=rotatablee and; will 1 thus; serve; :as 1 a bearingrsupport zforrrotatiOnahmovements: of the; breakoutslspool, andxthat athesasleeve l2: is ,-freely..- 3O rotatable: withinntheobushinggfli It willlbe :ap parent; therefore;: that when .the lrotating; .break,-- out :spool is disengaged fromrthezrotatingecathead spooletthe. breakout ispooln'mmediately comes to a stop'vasxsthereaare. no;,-ro,tating;:partsswhicn W111 then: operatestozzapplyjdragztocithe breakoutspool such as would tend to cause creepage movements: thereofia.

The facezofzthe framcistructureriilron theop;

disengaged clearance between the face of friction ring 21 and annular surface 22. Means are provided for locking the adjusting nut 48 with respect to the associated sleeve [2. For such purpose, the outer end of the nut is provided with diametrically opposed end grooves 52, and the sleeve with a notch 53 such that when one of the groovess52jis aligned with as notch 53, ,a docking key 54 may be positionedtherein and held against removal by a suitable cap screw 55.

The frame structure 29 is provided with radially extending: arms 56 in a portion of its periphery, which serve as supports for an arcuate guard' member S'Fattached to transversely extending'bars 58 which are in each case connected atone' endby'securing bolts 59 to one of the arms: 5.6-1. It;will=be-. noted that the lowermost arm 56 is disposed within the end slot 39 of the anchor-post so as to retain the frame structure 29 against rotation, as previously mentioned.

From th'e foregoing description, it'- will be' apparent: that the inventionprovides a self con tainedcompact air=friction cathead construction having a 1 novel b'ushing support for the breakout spool-i whicii incorporates an air-actuatingmechanism directly adjacentth'e drawworks; which provides novel arrangementpermitting" ready access to the-friction ring-for ir'i-sltsecticvnoi"- replacement; and wherein novel-means are pro vided for adjusting-the disengaged-clearance be tween the-friction clutch spaces.

I claim:

1. A friction cathead, comprising-2 'a rotatable" sleeve shaftextension'; a cath'ead'spool connected to vthe outs-r endiof said sleve','- said spool 'having Positeisid rom-imat10R:whichethevbreakoli flanges carrying' frictionally engageabiesurfaces;

spool isspositioned is. provided with ;a:,-circumf.er+ entially extending groove 40 which formseanan nular cylinderrwithiniwhiclr there: is operativeiy positioned; a, ringeshapedipistom: 4 I for. relative axial movements with respect to the frame stnuc-s- (71.116529 .9 The ginner and-,outer :peripheries; of i the pistoniare- -sealed withgrespect to .the associated; walls; ofrthel cylinder l-by ;0:-rings,;42=-42, associated,

in appropriate, groovess,

'Ihenrame,stnicture=29 iseurse in iav'directionztmbOttOm-xthe piston: 4 I in the: cylinder by-means of a plurality of; coiled springs; 43p ,circumferenntiallyg spaced around; andiasuppprted r, by,a a (ring; bracket 44: securcdito the ,framerstructure 29 :by.

a;. plurality. oft mountinggboltsr. 45.,- Fluidw for actuatingthe cylinderepiston is admitted through.

a supplypassaggflfi which isthreadedfor- 00111160:- tioncwith; at suita-ble supply conduit.-

Theinner periphery of-pthe piston 4l-risg-proa videdwith :an-,-annu1ar=end,gr0ove 41 adapted to 60 receivegav peripheral, margin -,of-;an,.-adj;usting ,nut:

48 haying threaded: engagement: with the ad: jacent end ofiithe sleeve l2, antiefriction. thrust-;bearing-,-49 is ginterppsedl-between the nut 48 andpthe; adiacent {portion ofsthespistonA l, a;

retainin ring; oa being 1securednbyib01135: 5 l-; to the piston; so las; 110:: permit relative; rotational, movementibetweenti the :nut 48 and.-the ,.piston, but; axially moveszz th'flz: piston 1 in; response:- toe a stationary cooperatively associated annular piston and cylinder assembly surrounding the-innerend'l pci tiona of said sleeve a tubular bushing surround-ing said sleeveand slidably supporting: said: cylinder foiiimovement longitudinally of i the sleeve, saidibushin'g havingiawproj ecting portion extending between-said 'sleeve andtbi eakout spool toformna bearing=upomwh-ich"therbreakout' spool is rotatable meanstinterlockings said? cylinder and E said'i breakbutsppol i for relative: rotational movement and unitary axialimovementymeans' resiliently urging; the: piston: and cylinder toe gether I to separates said; frictionally i engagea-blei. surf aces and. means for? supplying; at pressuresv fluidubetween :the. cylinder r andipiston if or) urging: them apart:to; engagesaidrfrictionally.,engageable;

surfaces.

2;; A friction .cathead; comprising a :rotatable sleeve shaft extension; a cathead'spool'connected tosthe outer endiof';said:sleeve;' said;ispooh hav ing anrinner' end flange;aubreakouttspoolcsura rounding said sleeve axially .alignedgwithztheicate head ;spool and-shavings .31! .outerz endflangemon fronting said;.- inner: endgflange .ot the: cathead:

spool, said flanges carryingzfrictionallyvengages able t surfaces; eta-stationary. cooperatively: asso-z ciated-amiular:pistoneandicylinxien assembly surrounding-ethe innerrend:.-pontion:;of saiduzsleeve; .aw tubular bush-ing surrounding-said sleevezand Slide a changes in; thesaxialppsition of theinutAden-ether. 7 .ably supporting; said cylinder; for axial gmoveqthreaded end ofsleeve l2.'. Thus,-;-, the: nut 48 constitutes; adj-usting means by; which the pistonu 4 l framet'rstructuremfl' and connected breakout i spool :2 3 may vbe axially shifted with respect ytosleeveel2sas-arunitary assembly-so as.to.;var.y,the

ment longitudinally of; thessleeve; said; bushing; having a projecting portion extendingabetweens said sleeve. and: breakout spool to: form .a bearing upon which'theibreakout sppol isrotatable means interlocking.- said cylindem andsaid breakout.

spool for relative rotational movement and unitary axial movement; means resiliently urging the piston and cylinder together to separate said frictionally engageable surfaces; means for supplying a pressure fluid between the cylinder and piston for urging them apart to engage said frictionally engageable surfaces; and a nut threaded on the inner end of said sleeve for adjustably positioning said piston and cylinder assembly axially of said sleeve to vary the disengaged clearance between the frictionally engageable surfaces.

3. A friction cathead, comprising: a rotatable sleeve shaft extension; a cathead spool connected to the outer end of said sleeve, said spool having an inner end flange; a breakout spool surrounding said sleeve axially aligned with the cathead spool and having an outer end flange confronting said inner end flange of the cathead spool, said flanges carrying frictionally engageable surfaces; a cooperatively associated annular piston and cylinder parts assembly surrounding the inner end portion of said sleeve; means engaging a part of said assembly so as to prevent rotary movement thereof; a tubular bushing surrounding said sleeve and slidably supporting one of said parts for movement longitudinally of the sleeve, said bushing being connected to said one of said parts so that it will not rotate and having a projecting portion extending between said sleeve and breakout spool to form a bearing upon which the breakout spoo1 is rotatable; means interlocking said one of said parts and said breakout spool for relative rotational movement and unitary axial movement; means resiliently urging the piston and cylinder parts together to separate said frictionally engageable surfaces; means for supplying a pressure fluid between the cylinder and piston parts for urging them apart to engage said frictionally engageable surfaces; and means operative to adjust said cylinder and piston parts assembly axially of said sleeve to vary the disengaged clearance between the frictionally engageable surfaces.

4. A friction cathead, comprising: a rotatable sleeve shaft extension; an outwardly faced abutment near the inner end of said sleeve; a cathead spool connected to the outer end of said sleeve, said spool having an inner end flange; a breakout spool surrounding said sleeve axially aligned with the cathead spool and having an outer end flange confronting said inner end flange of the cathead spool, said flanges carrying frictionally engageable surfaces; a cooperatively associated annular piston and cylinder parts assembly surrounding the inner end portion of said sleeve between said abutment and said breakout spool; means engaging a part of said assembly so as to prevent rotary movement thereof; a tubular bushing surrounding said sleeve and slidably supporting one of said parts for movement longitudinally of the sleeve, said bushing being connected to said one of said parts so that it will not rotate and having a projecting portion extending between said sleeve and breakout spool to form a bearing upon which the breakout spool is rotatable; resilient means acting to separate said spools so as to separate said frictionally engaging surfaces; means for supplying a pressure fluid between the cylinder and piston parts for urging them apart to engage said frictionally engageable surfaces; and means operative to adjust said abutment axially of said sleeve so a to change the position of said cylinder and piston parts assembly and thereby vary the disengaged clearance of the frictionally engageable surfaces.

5. A friction cathead, comprising: a rotatable sleeve shaft extension; a cathead spool connected to the outer end of said sleeve, said spool having an inner end flange; a breakout spool surrounding said sleeve axially aligned with the cathead spool and having an outer end flange confronting said inner end flange of the cathead spool, said flanges carrying frictionally engageable surfaces; a non-rotatable bushing surrounding and axially relatively movable on said sleeve adapted to rotatably support said breakout spool; resilient means acting to separate said spools so as to separate said frictionally engaging surfaces; and fluid actuating means arranged to axially move said bushing and said breakout spool to engage said frictionally engageable surfaces.

6. A friction cathead, comprising: a rotatable cathead spool; a breakout spool axially aligned with the cathead spool, said spools having end flanges in confronting relation; a non rotatable, axially movable bushing rotatably supporting said breakout spool; a friction surface carried by one of said flanges for frictionally engaging th surface on the other flange; a rotatable member connected to said cathead spool and extending through said bushing; an axially adjustable ring member surrounding said rotatable member; and a non-rotatable fluid actuating means operative between said adjustable ring member and said bushing and said breakout spool to cause relative movements of the spools in axial direction.

ALBERT A. ASHTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,864, 26 Ferris June 21, 1932 2,052,705 Foster Dec. 1, 1936 2,189,373 Steel Feb. 6, 1940 2,328,133 Foster Aug. 31, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,167 Great Britain of 1911 

